Remember that this holiday’s name reflects both thanks ... and giving

Published: Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 26, 2010 at 5:52 p.m.

In my dining room, there’s a big bay window. From there, I can see the treehouse in the woods, watch the birds and even glimpse the occasional bear.

Facts

Garrison lives in Flat Rock. Contact her at mmrgarrison@morrisbb.net

This time of year, the window ledge holds some figurines I purchased years ago, when our children were young. There’s a festive-looking turkey, and a pilgrim couple in their prim black-and-white clothing. Joining them are stereotypical figures wearing feathered headbands and bearing tom-toms.

That’s the idyllic scene that comes to our Hallmark minds when we speak of Thanksgiving. The first feast was a celebration of a good harvest, and I am guessing some serious eating took place among hungry settlers and native people.

Perhaps like me, as this holiday annually comes and goes, you think of our Native American population. Though the Plymouth Rock tribe and the Cherokee are two distinct populations, I wonder why we do not know more about the Cherokee.

So, I was delighted to discover, on a recent Sunday afternoon, an exhibit at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.

The exhibit is titled “Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee and British Delegations Exhibition.” Through artifacts and documents, it contrasts the Cherokee society in 1762, as seen by a British emissary, with British society. The British society observations are from the perspective of three Cherokee leaders, who visit the United Kingdom.

The exhibit was produced by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. Much of the exhibit features the memoirs of a British soldier.

Lt. Henry Timberlake volunteered for a Cherokee peace mission and was embedded with them for a three-month period. Timberlake wrote his memoirs and through his firsthand observations shares the culture and lifestyle of the Cherokee. Historians have called his work an “unparalleled eyewitness account.”

If you are looking for places to take holiday visitors, the Arboretum and the traveling exhibit make a pleasant trip and a good Native American learning experience. To share some snippets, I learned about the influence of women in the Cherokee culture and their power to stop executions. The Cherokee also had some pithy observations about the incongruity of language in the Bible and the subsequent behavior of its adherents. There is more to share, but I will stop here.

Like most nonprofit tourist sites these days, I imagine the Arboretum is eager for visitors. Here in Henderson County, our museums are also hoping for visits and have holiday offerings. The Heritage Museum currently has an exhibit on the history of the Flat Rock Playhouse, and the courthouse is the site for a playhouse production “Live from WVL Radio: It’s a Wonderful Life.”

On Dec. 4, Historic Johnson Farm is holding its 17th annual Christmas Festival, featuring a new one-room schoolhouse and many creative Christmas trees decorated by public school students.

Plays, charitable events and family experiences can make meaningful gifts and support good causes. This doesn’t clutter closets and storage spaces with unneeded possessions either.

While we are on nonprofits, let’s shift gears a bit. As I connect with people around town, the story seems to be the same. Donations to nonprofits are down, and needs are greater than ever. This seems especially true for charities assisting people with their basic needs.

Let’s remember the name of this holiday. It is, after all, the combination of two important words: thanks and giving.

The “thanks” portion of the holiday is so easy for many in this community. I am thankful I had the opportunity to break bread with my family and to see two little grandsons, a niece and my nephews enjoy their turkey feast. That’s high on my gratitude list.

I am blessed to always have food, plenty of affection and a roof over my head. That is not a universal condition in Henderson County.

Remember the “giving” part of this holiday.

If you’re overflowing with thanks, it is easy to give. Each gift is full of power, both to the one giving and to the one receiving.

If you think your gift will not make a difference, you might read Wendy Smith’s “Give a Little: How Small Donations Can Transform Our World.” You’ll learn that a large percentage of donations do not come from the upper crust, but from those of moderate and modest means.

There have been scientific studies about the effects of giving. Author Smith says you get the same physiological response (“warm glow”) that you would get from sex, food or other pleasurable stimulants.

This week, as we make the annual transition from Thanksgiving to the Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza season, take a moment to think about what kind of holiday you want to have. With a little forethought, you may both enjoy the season and lend a hand to those who need it most.

<p>In my dining room, there's a big bay window. From there, I can see the treehouse in the woods, watch the birds and even glimpse the occasional bear.</p><p>This time of year, the window ledge holds some figurines I purchased years ago, when our children were young. There's a festive-looking turkey, and a pilgrim couple in their prim black-and-white clothing. Joining them are stereotypical figures wearing feathered headbands and bearing tom-toms.</p><p>That's the idyllic scene that comes to our Hallmark minds when we speak of Thanksgiving. The first feast was a celebration of a good harvest, and I am guessing some serious eating took place among hungry settlers and native people.</p><p>Perhaps like me, as this holiday annually comes and goes, you think of our Native American population. Though the Plymouth Rock tribe and the Cherokee are two distinct populations, I wonder why we do not know more about the Cherokee.</p><p>So, I was delighted to discover, on a recent Sunday afternoon, an exhibit at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.</p><p>The exhibit is titled “Emissaries of Peace: The 1762 Cherokee and British Delegations Exhibition.” Through artifacts and documents, it contrasts the Cherokee society in 1762, as seen by a British emissary, with British society. The British society observations are from the perspective of three Cherokee leaders, who visit the United Kingdom.</p><p>The exhibit was produced by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. Much of the exhibit features the memoirs of a British soldier.</p><p>Lt. Henry Timberlake volunteered for a Cherokee peace mission and was embedded with them for a three-month period. Timberlake wrote his memoirs and through his firsthand observations shares the culture and lifestyle of the Cherokee. Historians have called his work an “unparalleled eyewitness account.”</p><p>If you are looking for places to take holiday visitors, the Arboretum and the traveling exhibit make a pleasant trip and a good Native American learning experience. To share some snippets, I learned about the influence of women in the Cherokee culture and their power to stop executions. The Cherokee also had some pithy observations about the incongruity of language in the Bible and the subsequent behavior of its adherents. There is more to share, but I will stop here.</p><p>Like most nonprofit tourist sites these days, I imagine the Arboretum is eager for visitors. Here in Henderson County, our museums are also hoping for visits and have holiday offerings. The Heritage Museum currently has an exhibit on the history of the Flat Rock Playhouse, and the courthouse is the site for a playhouse production “Live from WVL Radio: It's a Wonderful Life.”</p><p>On Dec. 4, Historic Johnson Farm is holding its 17th annual Christmas Festival, featuring a new one-room schoolhouse and many creative Christmas trees decorated by public school students.</p><p>Plays, charitable events and family experiences can make meaningful gifts and support good causes. This doesn't clutter closets and storage spaces with unneeded possessions either.</p><p>While we are on nonprofits, let's shift gears a bit. As I connect with people around town, the story seems to be the same. Donations to nonprofits are down, and needs are greater than ever. This seems especially true for charities assisting people with their basic needs.</p><p>Let's remember the name of this holiday. It is, after all, the combination of two important words: thanks and giving.</p><p>The “thanks” portion of the holiday is so easy for many in this community. I am thankful I had the opportunity to break bread with my family and to see two little grandsons, a niece and my nephews enjoy their turkey feast. That's high on my gratitude list.</p><p>I am blessed to always have food, plenty of affection and a roof over my head. That is not a universal condition in Henderson County.</p><p>Remember the “giving” part of this holiday.</p><p>If you're overflowing with thanks, it is easy to give. Each gift is full of power, both to the one giving and to the one receiving.</p><p>If you think your gift will not make a difference, you might read Wendy Smith's “Give a Little: How Small Donations Can Transform Our World.” You'll learn that a large percentage of donations do not come from the upper crust, but from those of moderate and modest means.</p><p>There have been scientific studies about the effects of giving. Author Smith says you get the same physiological response (“warm glow”) that you would get from sex, food or other pleasurable stimulants.</p><p>This week, as we make the annual transition from Thanksgiving to the Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza season, take a moment to think about what kind of holiday you want to have. With a little forethought, you may both enjoy the season and lend a hand to those who need it most.</p>